Five Priceless Lessons Self-Learning Taught Me
The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper. ~ Eden Phillpotts, English author and playwright
I have never stopped wondering why the world ever got stuck on the old traditional guided learning style, instead of sticking to the more natural and original method of self-learning. Especially when self-learning proves to be a more effective style of learning.
Well, I guess it is just different strokes for different folks.
I unconsciously ventured into self-learning over my childhood years. I could not explain how I turned self-taught artist and writer then. But I have been loving it and learning very great lessons, ones I believe money can never buy.
Here are a few of the priceless lessons self-learning has taught me:
Nothing is impossible
Society's norms and ways somewhat programmes people to believe in certain limitations. One of such limitations is the belief that excellent learning can only be gained from guided learning institutions.
But many of our limitations are only our illusions. Going by society, I could never have pictured myself turning self-published author, blogger, copywriter, digital marketer and web developer without spending several months or years in a guided learning institution. When I look at how much have learnt through self-learning, just one truth comes to my mind: nothing is impossible.
No skill is unlearnable
You do not need to have any specific prior knowledge or background on a particular work to learn it. In fact, someone without any prior knowledge or background on the job may even learn and assimilate faster than a person with some level of related knowledge and background.
Why is that happening?
Another truth hits you in the face. There is no skill that is unlearnable, no skill that cannot be learnt.
Wait behind the crowd, or find the future yourself
Taking the path of self-learning typically meant leaving the crowd behind. Leaving behind society and its norms, and the massive human population that is already part of the popular delusion.
Even though I had been undergoing some sort of guided learning all my life, I personally embarked on my own self guided learning jamboree. I was not willing to remain with the crowd that has already been mind-washed by society. Now, I am lightyears ahead of the position I should have been, having a feel of what the future looks like.
Open mindedness is important
In self guided learning, one must be mindful of personal bias. This is something that is only possible if one opens up to both internal and external perspectives. A self-learner is a seeker of truth, not a knower.
This fact stamped on my mind the importance of open mindedness even in several other aspects of life as well. I practiced this in almost everything I do and the results were spectacular. Just like Phillpotts said, 'The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.'
Practice is king
The learning process is conceptually characterised by actions, outcomes and acknowledgements.
In guided learning structures, there are less emphasis on practice (actions). Instructors are sometimes not even practitioners themselves. Students can only rely on documented proven knowledge which are products of actions (practice) of some practitioners somewhere else.
Meanwhile, self-learning is naturally characterised by information and practice, because a self-learner is left the sole responsibility of acknowledging what is been learnt. Of which it is only through use that this can be done.
Here, I learnt that above all, practice is king. Knowledge must be put to test before we can claim we truly know.
By now, you would agree how priceless these lessons from self-learning are.
I will be so thrilled to hear about your own lessons from self-learning too. Click here to find and chat me on Twitter.
Thank you for reading!
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About the Creator
Ahmed Aribito Hassan
Jack-of-all-preneur. Tech, management, creative and media professional. Highly spiritual personality.
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